Anybody else play an '80s MIJ Tele?

sjfoote · June 18th, 2003, 07:36 AM

Just wondering how common these guitars are. I haven't been able to find out much about the MIJ Teles - i.e. were they the "standard" version like the MIMs are now, some sort of limited production specials or what?

I'd really like to find a source of info to better understand the details of MIJ. Anybody got any suggestions or ideas?

TheGoodTexan · June 18th, 2003, 07:52 AM

One of the best Teles I've ever owned was an '84 MIJ Squire. It was Butterscotch, with a single-ply black pickguard...and a perfect neck. The sweetest part of the deal was that I got it used for $98 at Broadway Music here in Nashville.

I still kick myself for selling that guitar. I was proud to show-off the "Squire" decal...and tell everyone how little I paid for it.

Poppatwang · June 18th, 2003, 08:07 AM

I have 2 of the "62 RI double bounded. Great guitars with
the exception of stock electronics. 'cept Fuzzy likes the
stock pups. I found them too thin. Selector switches must go.

newbie · June 18th, 2003, 08:18 AM

87, butterscotch, maple, toploader. i've also got an early 90's 62ri.

the pups and selector switch definately had to go on the 62 ri, but on the 87, either someone's already replaced them, or they are different, 'cause i like them just fine.

the bridge pup sounds nearly as good as my 52ri, just not quite as hot (which ain't always bad!)

sneakyjapan · June 18th, 2003, 08:31 AM

90`s all walnut tele.
I have a few 80`s strats though. I kept the ones I liked, I usually get them on line... sent the stinkers back. I really like the ones I have. The older ones have better electronics than the new models.

0le FUZZY · June 18th, 2003, 09:23 AM

SJ, these are really hard to find information on.

The early 80s were some of the best I have ever played. It seems they took their time as Leo did early on tew sand and finish them right. Later 80s were a nutter story.

For me and my likes the necks are the key to my luv for them.

After about 86 they started gitting real cheap with satin finish necks (with truss rod adjustment inna headstock) and flat bridge plates.[*]If yew find one with the vintage hardware and truss rod adjustment buy it.

The very early Squiers and Reissues are some of the best overall TELECASTERs ever made IMHO.

There haff been many on eBay and roun the NET fer years now and if yew kin find a new one made like those early 80s yew wood haff a fine TELE.

Shop around, play a bunch or stop by iffin yer in my area.

The one drawback I haff found is that the hardware rusts up sumthin fearse and the tops of sum of the lead P/Us will warp.

This one with it's stock P/U has been up against the very best aftermarket P/Us yew kin buy. Done been apart many times.

My favorite!! Late 80s pawn shop waz good tew me!!

uberpants · June 18th, 2003, 10:28 AM

I have a 2-tone sunburst 50's tele with 1-ply black pickguard. I think it is from the mid 80's. the neck is a more pronounced "V" and seems a little thicker than the recent MIM 50's teles. It also feels like it weighs twice as much. Does anyone have an idea what wood they used on the MIJ bodies for sunburst models ca. 1985-6?

I agree that the switch is crummy, but I have no complaints on the pots. Neck pickup is pretty sweet and kinda microphonic. The bridge p-u could be a little hotter [considering a replacement].

This is my first and only tele . . . for now. I got it about 5 years ago when I really didn't know anything about teles. I just got is because a buddy I played with had an 80's Squier tele that sounded great; I just had to get one. this one was good looking and was in my price range. plus it had a Fender decal instead of Squier on the headstock--couldn't pass it up. it took a while to get used to the thick "V" neck, but now I find that my hand gets cramped playing thinner necks. I only wish it was a little lighter.

-tommy

sjfoote · June 18th, 2003, 11:20 AM

Seems like there are quite a few of you all playing these MIJs. Fuzzy seems to think that these are pretty good players (if you get a good one). Maybe I got lucky with mine because it has the one-peice maple neck (poly finish), vintage truss rod adjustment, Gotoh tuners, and vintage frets. The fit & finish on the thing is beautiful - even after nearly 20 years. I was hoping to determine if everything was still stock, but it seems from some of the replies, that it might be hard to tell.

It sounds pretty close to the 50's classic (MIM) that I compared it with, but I paid $325 LESS for the MIJ!! The neck pup is VERY microphonic, but I'm not sure if that is a really bad thing since I rarely play anywhere but at home....

telefreak · June 18th, 2003, 05:39 PM

I've got an 87 that I bought for £50 as a wreck, judging from what fuzzy was sating, it's got the wrong neck on it because it's a gloss finish. Most of the parts had to be junked, but the all important bridge pickup was still working and the body and neck were sound, so I built it up from parts. I've had it for 6 years now, and I'll never sell it

June 18th, 2003, 07:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
sjfoote Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Age: 54 Posts: 362 4 Photos	Anybody else play an '80s MIJ Tele? Just wondering how common these guitars are. I haven't been able to find out much about the MIJ Teles - i.e. were they the "standard" version like the MIMs are now, some sort of limited production specials or what? I'd really like to find a source of info to better understand the details of MIJ. Anybody got any suggestions or ideas? __________________ no better, just older

June 18th, 2003, 07:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
TheGoodTexan Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Nashville, TN Age: 35 Posts: 4,899 15 Photos	One of tyhe best ones I had One of the best Teles I've ever owned was an '84 MIJ Squire. It was Butterscotch, with a single-ply black pickguard...and a perfect neck. The sweetest part of the deal was that I got it used for $98 at Broadway Music here in Nashville. I still kick myself for selling that guitar. I was proud to show-off the "Squire" decal...and tell everyone how little I paid for it.

June 18th, 2003, 08:07 AM	#3 (permalink)
Poppatwang Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: St. Paul, MN Posts: 1,854 13 Photos	Lots of models I have 2 of the "62 RI double bounded. Great guitars with the exception of stock electronics. 'cept Fuzzy likes the stock pups. I found them too thin. Selector switches must go.

June 18th, 2003, 08:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
newbie Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 226	i've got one right now 87, butterscotch, maple, toploader. i've also got an early 90's 62ri. the pups and selector switch definately had to go on the 62 ri, but on the 87, either someone's already replaced them, or they are different, 'cause i like them just fine. the bridge pup sounds nearly as good as my 52ri, just not quite as hot (which ain't always bad!)

June 18th, 2003, 08:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
sneakyjapan Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nippon Posts: 2,344 3 Photos	90`s all walnut tele. I have a few 80`s strats though. I kept the ones I liked, I usually get them on line... sent the stinkers back. I really like the ones I have. The older ones have better electronics than the new models. __________________ quasi mojo

June 18th, 2003, 09:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
0le FUZZY Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kolly-forn-knee-ya Posts: 10,001 6 Photos	80s MIJs SJ, these are really hard to find information on. The early 80s were some of the best I have ever played. It seems they took their time as Leo did early on tew sand and finish them right. Later 80s were a nutter story. For me and my likes the necks are the key to my luv for them. After about 86 they started gitting real cheap with satin finish necks (with truss rod adjustment inna headstock) and flat bridge plates.[*]If yew find one with the vintage hardware and truss rod adjustment buy it. The very early Squiers and Reissues are some of the best overall TELECASTERs ever made IMHO. There haff been many on eBay and roun the NET fer years now and if yew kin find a new one made like those early 80s yew wood haff a fine TELE. Shop around, play a bunch or stop by iffin yer in my area. The one drawback I haff found is that the hardware rusts up sumthin fearse and the tops of sum of the lead P/Us will warp. This one with it's stock P/U has been up against the very best aftermarket P/Us yew kin buy. Done been apart many times. My favorite!! Late 80s pawn shop waz good tew me!!

June 18th, 2003, 10:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
uberpants NEW MEMBER! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1	MIJ 50's Re-issue I have a 2-tone sunburst 50's tele with 1-ply black pickguard. I think it is from the mid 80's. the neck is a more pronounced "V" and seems a little thicker than the recent MIM 50's teles. It also feels like it weighs twice as much. Does anyone have an idea what wood they used on the MIJ bodies for sunburst models ca. 1985-6? I agree that the switch is crummy, but I have no complaints on the pots. Neck pickup is pretty sweet and kinda microphonic. The bridge p-u could be a little hotter [considering a replacement]. This is my first and only tele . . . for now. I got it about 5 years ago when I really didn't know anything about teles. I just got is because a buddy I played with had an 80's Squier tele that sounded great; I just had to get one. this one was good looking and was in my price range. plus it had a Fender decal instead of Squier on the headstock--couldn't pass it up. it took a while to get used to the thick "V" neck, but now I find that my hand gets cramped playing thinner necks. I only wish it was a little lighter. -tommy

June 18th, 2003, 11:20 AM	#8 (permalink)
sjfoote Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lawrenceville, GA Age: 54 Posts: 362 4 Photos	Thanks for the input everyone... Seems like there are quite a few of you all playing these MIJs. Fuzzy seems to think that these are pretty good players (if you get a good one). Maybe I got lucky with mine because it has the one-peice maple neck (poly finish), vintage truss rod adjustment, Gotoh tuners, and vintage frets. The fit & finish on the thing is beautiful - even after nearly 20 years. I was hoping to determine if everything was still stock, but it seems from some of the replies, that it might be hard to tell. It sounds pretty close to the 50's classic (MIM) that I compared it with, but I paid $325 LESS for the MIJ!! The neck pup is VERY microphonic, but I'm not sure if that is a really bad thing since I rarely play anywhere but at home.... __________________ no better, just older

June 18th, 2003, 05:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
telefreak Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Essex UK Posts: 659	I've got an 87 that I bought for £50 as a wreck, judging from what fuzzy was sating, it's got the wrong neck on it because it's a gloss finish. Most of the parts had to be junked, but the all important bridge pickup was still working and the body and neck were sound, so I built it up from parts. I've had it for 6 years now, and I'll never sell it __________________ I didn't grow up, I just got older.